Sarah Rodman letter to Thomas Rotch, Newport 10th mo 15 1787

               
  B-154-1
                         Newport 10 mo 15 1787
  Dear Cousin
              I do not write thee because I apprehend thou art
  destitute of amusements, and even if thou wast my endeavours would
  be very inadequate to my wishes, and a contribution so small they could
  not have much effect to raise thy Spirits - but considering friendship
  not only allow many priveleges - but where I t is mutual gives all its little
  offices and even its unadorned performances an agreeable Stamp. I have
  concluded to give thee a demonstration of the regard which often prompts
  the tender wish, for thy welfare and preservation when cheering health
  sweetens thy every enjoyment, social and mental. - so now while under the 
  operation of a painful distemper blends the solicitude I feel for my dear
  brother, with a similar anxiety that thine may also be favourable while
  in continuance - and have no tendency to impair thy constitution - or
  occasion that least regret that thou hast devoted a portion of this agreeable
  Season to the important undertaking.
                                                here
    I don't know that any thing new has transpired^that is interesting to
  thee - we heard from Nantucket last week that our dearest friends there
  were favour'd with usual health, and that Richard Mitchel and friend
  Spencer were deceas'd - in them Nature gradualy declined - their walk
  thro' life was perhaps as long as thier wishes pointed out - pleasures